Preparing for Your Concerts: THE BIG KEY TO MINIMIZING STRESS!
The season leading up to concerts can be overwhelming. Between perfecting pieces, organizing logistics, and managing your students’ nerves—not to mention your own—it’s easy to feel like the pressure will never end. But here’s the good news: there’s a BIG KEY to minimizing stress for you and your choir.
What is it? Think like an audience member, not a musician.
Shifting your perspective can change everything about how you prioritize during concert prep. By focusing on what your audience will experience, you’ll streamline your efforts, reduce unnecessary stress, and ultimately deliver a performance that resonates deeply.
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Think Like Your Audience
As musicians, we tend to obsess over the smallest details—notes, rhythms, diction, blend, and more. But your audience isn’t listening with a professional musician’s ear. Most audience members are parents, grandparents, community supporters, and students. They’re there to enjoy the performance, not to critique it.
Before tackling a perceived mistake in rehearsal, ask yourself:
- Will the audience notice or care about this detail?
- Will fixing this make a meaningful difference to their experience?
If the answer is yes, focus on it. If not, let it go! This doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, but it does mean knowing when good enough is truly good enough.
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Teach Your Students to Let Go
One of the most important lessons for your choir is learning how to react to mistakes. Your audience won’t notice most errors unless they see them on your students’ faces. Teach your singers to stay composed and confident, even if something goes wrong. A smile and continued focus can turn a potential misstep into a fleeting moment no one remembers.
Concert Flow: Your Audience’s Priority
What will your audience notice most? The flow of the concert. A well-organized, engaging program leaves a lasting impression, even if every note isn’t perfect. Focus on:
- Smooth Transitions: Rehearse how students move on and off the risers, and between pieces. Seamless transitions keep your audience engaged.
- Clear Narration: Plan what you’ll say to guide your audience through the performance. Context can elevate their appreciation of your choir’s work.
- Respect for Time: A concise, well-paced concert is far more enjoyable than one that drags.
Less Is More
If a piece isn’t coming together, it’s okay to cut it—even if the programs are already printed. A shorter, polished concert will leave a stronger impression than one that feels unfinished or overly long. Use the extra time to refine what is working, ensuring those moments truly shine.
Emphasize Stage Presence
Body language plays a vital role in shaping how your audience perceives your performance. Help your students focus on these key elements:
- Posture and Confidence: Encourage an upright stance and a poised demeanor. This not only enhances vocal production but also affects how the audience perceives each singer’s professionalism and engagement.
- Eye Contact: Teach your students to watch you at all times. This connection helps create a powerful, communal moment in both rehearsals and live performances.
- Expression: Smiling and radiating warmth can transform a performance, inviting the audience to share in the joy and emotion of the music.
When your choir conveys energy, connection, and confidence, your audience will feel it and respond in kind.
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Share the Load
Reduce your stress by involving your students in concert logistics. Assign responsibilities like setting up equipment, managing transitions, or helping with backstage organization. Giving your singers ownership over these tasks not only lightens your workload but also builds teamwork and accountability.
Why Thinking Like an Audience Member Works
When you prioritize what the audience will see, hear, and feel, you cut out unnecessary stress over details that don’t matter to their experience. This perspective frees you to focus on what does matter: creating a performance that connects and inspires.
Remember, the audience isn’t there to critique—they’re there to celebrate your students’ hard work and enjoy the music. By embracing their viewpoint, you’ll create a concert that leaves a lasting impression while keeping your own stress in check.
So take a deep breath, focus on the big picture, and remember: the best concerts are about connection, not perfection.
You’ve got this!
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